LINUX PIPELINE NEWSLETTER
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/
Tuesday, June 8, 2004

In This Issue
1. Editor's Note: Don't Let Unearned Patents Sink Linux
2. Microsoft's Patent Plans Worry Open-Source Supporters
3. SCO Buys Back Stake From BayStar
4. Open Source Java Implementation Nears Completion 
5. Readers: Sun Should Open-Source Java 
6. Solaris Gets Shanghai Surprise
7. Open Sourcery: Marquee Brands Tout Open Source
8. Linux Process Change Raises Questions 
9. Only The Best Linux And Open Source News
10. Voting Booth: Cast Your Vote On User Interfaces
11. This Week's Top Story From Server Pipeline
  - The Next Big Thing: Blade PCs
12. Shameless Self-Promotion

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-----------------------------------------

1. EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't Let Unearned Patents Sink Linux

Patent law was developed as an incentive for innovation, but it's
become a club that established companies use for the opposite
affect, to stifle innovation rather than encourage it. 

Open source advocates are concerned that the club may be used on
them next, as Microsoft is stepping up its licensing efforts.
Microsoft holds about 4,500 patents covering technologies
including desktops and servers, and has more than 100 discussions
under way for licensing its patents to other companies. 

Established companies use patent licensing as a means of stifling
competition. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been under
fire for more than a decade for granting patents that are just
plain dumb: Recently, the US PTO granted Microsoft a patent for
double-clicking to launch applications in a handheld device. Past
dumb patents have gone to Amazon.com, for its 1-Click technology,
and to AT&T for a means of drawing overlapping windows in a
graphical user interface. 

Patent claims don't mean much to a company with a big enough war
chest, or with a portfolio of patents of its own that it can use
for barter. But if Microsoft were to claim it owns patents
underlying Linux or other open source technologies, that could be
catastrophic for open source software, launching litigation that
makes SCO's prosecution look tame. 

Reform of U.S. patent law to make sure that it protects
innovation, rather than stifles it, is long overdue.

--Mitch Wagner, Editor
Linux Pipeline
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/
mailto:mwagner@cmp.com?Subject=LPNfeedback

For more commentary and links from Mitch Wagner, see Wagner's
Weblog
http://wagblog.internetweek.com

-----------------------------------------

2. Microsoft's Patent Plans Worry Open-Source Supporters
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=21401699
Open source advocates fear that Microsoft will use patents to
stifle competition.

3. SCO Buys Back Stake From BayStar
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=21401109
BayStar had stirred controversy when it publicly demanded 
return of its investment from SCO.
 	
4. Open Source Java Implementation Nears Completion 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=21400976
The Apache Software Foundation is looking to finish an 
open source implementation of the Java 2 Platform in the fall.

5. Readers: Sun Should Open-Source Java   
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/trends/21402168
Fears of Microsoft influence, and desire to accelerate adoption
are among the reasons why more than three-quarters of readers
said in a Voting Booth poll that Sun should open-source Java .

6. Solaris Gets Shanghai Surprise 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/trends/21402092
Sun promises a new Java Desktop System and RFID software, and
takes early steps in making Solaris open source.

7. Open Sourcery: Marquee Brands Tout Open Source
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/trends/21400594
Brand names such as IBM, Computer Associates, and Oracle are
helping IT shops overcome their fears about taking a chance on
open-source software.

8. Linux Process Change Raises Questions 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/21400697
A change in the procedure for submitting changes to the 
Linux kernel raised concerns about intellectual property
lawsuits.

9. ONLY THE BEST LINUX AND OPEN SOURCE NEWS:

Microsoft Cuts Prices To Court Developing Countries 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=21401961
To combat the spread of Linux, Microsoft is taking a new approach
to emerging markets.  
 	
Intel BIOS Code Goes Open Source 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/21401203

Eclipse Names Executive Director   
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/21400913

10. VOTING BOOTH: Cast Your Vote On User Interfaces
http://linuxpipeline.com/vote/interface_040608.jhtml
Best user interface: KDE, GNOME, Command line, other?

11. THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY FROM SERVER PIPELINE

The Next Big Thing: Blade PCs
http://www.serverpipeline.com/trends/21400523
You've heard of server blades, or blade servers, but blade PCs?
Hewlett-Packard says they're on the way

To subscribe to the Server Pipeline Newsletter, for the latest
news, reviews, and product information, visit the newsletter
subscription page. 
http://www.serverpipeline.com/newsletter.jhtml

12. SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION

LEARN ABOUT WEB SERVERS IN PRODUCT FINDER
http://productfinder.linuxpipeline.com/index.cgi?search=Search&final_cat1=6&category=16&sub_cat=54

For other Product Finder product categories, browse or search the
database from its home page:
http://productfinder.linuxpipeline.com/

OFFSHORE EXPERTS
The leading outsourcing legal experts, offshoring authors and
strategy consultants sound off about global-sourcing strategies
and tactics in the June issue of Managing Offshore. (subscription
required, sample issue available).
http://www.managingoffshore.com

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------- Advertisement -------------------

Maximize the potential of Linux with CA Management Software.
CA solutions can backup, secure and manage your Linux implementation,
while also allowing seamless integration into your existing
infrastructure. As a result, Linux can be easily adopted into your
enterprise. To find out more about our continuing commitment to Linux
innovations, visit ca.com/linux.    http://www.ca.com/linux

-----------------------------------------

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